Please read With Those Eyes before reading this story.
I look for signs and wonders in everyday life to confirm that I'm on the right path. God sends me people to tell me, show me, or guide me along the way. That's how I write these stories. They are about those people. But today, I write about my dog Daisy. We have had her in our lives for about a dozen years. Every second of every day of those wonderful years were precious gifts to us. Daisy was approaching approximately 15 years of age. Her appetite was excellent but her body was giving way. I can relate to that sometimes. A short while ago I wrote a story about her, which was included in the new Petwarmers Pet Tales CD. It was called "In Her Eyes." It was all perfect timing.
The day my copy of the CD arrived, Daisy had begun having some serious set backs. Until that day, she managed to get around quite nicely considering her arthritis was worsening. We kept her on her daily medication and her doctor felt she was doing just fine. This past week I began to see signs of her failing health. I called the vet and they told me what to watch for, but explained ultimately that the decision to put Daisy to sleep was all mine.
Marianne and I had a conversation about this just last week. "Hon, do you want me to tell you when the day has come for Daisy, so you can say your goodbyes?" I asked.
"Honey, I have said goodbye to her a thousand times already. I know what lies ahead," she told me.
"So you don't want me to tell you?" I asked.
"No." I prayed a few days ago for one of those magnificent signs from God to let me know Daisy needed to go home. I waited. Nothing. That is until last night.
Through the years, every time Marianne and I went away for a few days, we would take Daisy to this incredible farm where she was loved and cared for while we were gone. The first day we went there, the owner told me that to make Daisy more comfortable while we were gone, one of us should wear an old t-shirt for a few days and bring it in with her. The scent left on the clothing would keep her comfortable and keep us not too far from her memory.
Daisy sleeps on a dog mattress next to our bed every night. The mattress is located on Marianne's side, so Daisy always slept there. Except for last night. It was the oddest thing. Just as we climbed into bed, Daisy came over to my side and laid down on the floor. She never did that before. She was panting a little so I petted her for awhile, expecting that she would go to her bed as soon as I stopped. She didn't. She stayed there all night, never moving even when I got up a few times. I would return and there she was sleeping. The reason I find this all so fascinating is, she slept on my t-shirt that I always have lying on the floor. She curled up and made a bed out of it. This morning she woke up and could not walk. I carried her downstairs and outside. She really struggled to go and had difficulty standing up to eat.
Marianne went off to work. At 10am, I called the vet and could barely speak. The assistant waited patiently for me to say something. She knew why I was calling. "Bring her in at 2 pm," she said.
I cried so hard when I hung up I could hardly stand. I held her in my arms and we sat there.
Some of you may not like this part. I don't care. Daisy and I had a party today. She always loved the crust from pizza we ate. Today I ordered a pizza, bought a McDonalds Quarter Pounder with cheese, no condiments, and we sat on the floor together. I opened the pizza box and let her eat what she wanted. She then ate the burger and I followed it up with a small dish of vanilla ice cream. She loved it. So did I.
As I write this, Marianne doesn't know about Daisy. I bought flowers for her and placed Daisy's picture next to it on the kitchen table. Yes, Daisies. Tonight we will hold each other and cry. Oh yes, we will hold that old t-shirt to remember her -- it is Daisy scent!
© Bob Perks
See also: With Those Eyes
Visit: Bob's story site
Bob Perks is a professional speaker, author and vocalist.
Member National Speakers Association.